Arsenal made a bold statement in the Premier League title race with a 5-1 demolition of reigning champions Manchester City, closing the gap at the top to six points on Monday night.

Captain Martin Ødegaard fired Arsenal into the lead in just the second minute, and the Gunners finished off City in ruthless fashion after the break, with teenagers Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri both getting on the scoresheet.

Erling Haaland briefly gave City hope with a 55th-minute equaliser—his 250th senior career goal—but their faint chances of winning a fifth consecutive title all but vanished under the north London floodlights.

Arsenal are now 14 games unbeaten in the league, sitting on 50 points from 24 matches, while leaders Liverpool have 56 points from 23 games. Manchester City, meanwhile, remain fourth with 41 points.

A Performance of Flair and Dominance

Arsenal have faced accusations of over-reliance on set-piece goals this season, but on Monday, they played with flair and fluidity, securing their biggest home win of the league campaign.

"It was a top game, a top performance, and with the fans and the atmosphere, it couldn't be better—so very happy," Ødegaard said. "In the end, I think we got what we deserved."

City, who had been unbeaten in their previous six league matches, looked second-best for much of the game, apart from a brief spell before half-time when Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya was forced into a couple of crucial saves.

"It is difficult. None of us take losing well," admitted City defender John Stones. "It's hard to put into words straight after a game like that. The way we played in the last 30 minutes was not acceptable."

Arsenal’s Ruthless Display

City’s sluggish start was punished within two minutes when Manuel Akanji, under pressure from his own teammate John Stones, lost possession. Kai Havertz calmly set up Ødegaard, who swept home despite Stones’ attempted block.

With City in complete disarray, Arsenal thought they had doubled their lead when Gabriel Martinelli lifted a shot past Stefan Ortega, only for it to be ruled offside.

City were let off again when they gifted possession away once more, and Havertz, with the entire goal to aim at, somehow dragged his shot wide.

Haaland had just six touches in the first half, but he sprang to life in the 55th minute, heading home Savinho’s cross.

For a moment, it looked as though Arsenal’s missed chances might haunt them, but 38 seconds after the restart, a misplaced pass from Phil Foden led to Thomas Partey’s shot deflecting off Stones, leaving Ortega helpless.

Arsenal, now in full control, piled on the humiliation. Havertz atoned for his earlier miss with a clinical finish on the counter-attack, before Lewis-Skelly curled in his first senior goal from a Declan Rice assist.

The Emirates Stadium erupted as substitute Nwaneri put the finishing touch on the rout, leaving Ortega stranded with a sublime finish.

What’s Next?

Arsenal will now focus on overturning a 2-0 first-leg deficit in Wednesday’s League Cup semi-final at Newcastle United, while City must quickly regroup ahead of a crucial Champions League knockout tie against Real Madrid.